Chronological Gospels: John 9-10:21
In John 9-10:21 Jesus has just healed a man who was born blind which causes quite a stir. The disciples ask whether the man or his parents were in sin, indicating that the blindness was a punishment for sin. Jesus’ response is an important one for all of us. Jesus replies by teaching that the man’s ailment was not due to sin, but that he was blind so that he could be used to display God’s works.
As someone who has many ailments, has had many sufferings in my life, this lesson hit home early in my Christian life and still hits to this day. Sometimes suffering or sickness is a result of sinful choices. Sometimes it is implemented to lead us to repentance. Sometimes, though, it is purely for God to work through and in those circumstances and that person. I know I can look back and see that so much of my suffering was a result of my own sin, but also was being used by God to display His works and draw me to Himself, and sometimes others as well.
What is an ailment or circumstance in your life that, once through it, you recognized was God working in your life rather than a sort of punishment?
Another thing this passage got me thinking about is that we tend to judge what others are doing and assume we know if the work someone is doing is for God or not. This passage is a great reminder that only God knows the heart, and only God truly has the right to judge, but we have the responsibility to come alongside one another as fellow sinning human beings to grow in faith and godliness together.
After this lesson, the man who was given his sight is questioned by the Pharisees and Jesus is accused of not being from God. They constantly tried to discredit Jesus, and this circumstance was no different. Rather than recognize the miracle Jesus performed they sought to destroy His reputation and keep their own status as servants of God unblemished and unchanged. Many believed the Pharisees, but some, the blind man being one of them, stood up and spoke up.
I love seeing this passage where the man given his sight rebukes the Pharisees. We so often put religious teachers and scholars on a pedestal and don’t correct people we have been trained to think know more than we do. This man, though, boldly proclaims what he has been taught from scripture and believes about Jesus despite the Pharisees’ power and responses. Sometimes we need to be reminded that God gives wisdom to those who truly desire it for the right reasons, and will be with His people. This man given his sight is an incredible and inspiring example.
Who in your life has inspired and encouraged you to be bold in your faith? Explain.
After then addressing that the Pharisees’ failure to recognize their own spiritual blindness means they are still in sin, Jesus proceeds to give His famous speech about being the Good Shepherd. The only way to an abundant life is to enter through Him. He is the only way to salvation, the only way to a relationship with our Heavenly Father, and those who are truly of God recognize Jesus as the Good Shepherd and Savior of mankind. Those who do not recognize Him are not His sheep and not of God.
What does it mean to you for Jesus to be your Good Shepherd?
